“Telling” Time (4:44)

/ roughwighting

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/number-4-four-digit-background-2084174/ractapopulous; spirituality, numerologyA year or so before my mom’s dementia took her mind away, she shocked me by stopping in front of my digital kitchen clock and proclaiming, “4:44 – that’s a great sign! Happiness, or good luck, or something like that.”

I gaped. My mom was a lifelong Episcopalian, attended church every Sunday, and took Bible study classes throughout her 70s and 80s, but she never displayed a spiritual side, or any side except what was straight in front of her.

“Really?” I finally asked, looking at the clock, which seemed to show 4:44 for many long minutes. This was a side of my mom I’d never seen. https://pixabay.com/illustrations/number-figure-4-four-fourth-2484540/MR1313, four, 4:44, Pixabay

I forgot about our clock encounter until the day after she died, six years later. I was surprised at how depressed I was. I’d mourned her during those sad years of diminishing capacity, and on the day of her death I felt her joy at being released from this mortal coil.

As I approached the microwave to heat up my tenth cup of sympathy tea, I was compelled to raise my head and yes, there it was . . . 

4:44.

I smiled, nodded, and said out loud, “Hi Mom.”

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/numbers-bevel-aqua-glass-blue-4-1746910/matponjot, Pixabay, numerology, 4These sightings have occurred frequently in the three years since she passed (5/2/2020). Especially when I’m down or worried. I suddenly find 11:11, or 3:33, and many times 4:44 as I pass by a clock. My mood lifts.

So, on impulse I downloaded a book called Spiritual Guide Numbers on my Kindle, kind of shrugging at my silly self. I began to read it one night in bed, hiding it from any observers (the only one being my bedmate, who was snoring beside me). Yes, I was a bit embarrassed that I had resorted to this kind of hobble gobble.

And sure enough, the more pages I read, swiping the pages swiftly, the more ridiculous it seemed, with individual chapter explanations on different combinations of numbers.

“Give me a break,” I muttered after a few chapters. “What a waste.”

As I closed my Kindle, I chuckled to myself and said softly, “let’s see what time my device says as I turn the button off.”

“10:10.”

My skin prickled. I laughed out loud. Damn. My mom always had a wonderful sense of humor. 

I fell asleep, smiling.

 

memories of mom, photographs, screenshot, numerology

I snapped a screenshot to find photos for this post and then noticed the time: 11:11: 04. 

148 thoughts on ““Telling” Time (4:44)”

  3. Hobble gobble or gobbledygook: let’s face it, there was a small part hoping you’d find a little something. And you did! Good feelings and a good sleep! It is 04:14 as I type this. My birthday!

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  8. I know three people with 444 tattoos. So, I looked it up, too. I don’t know if I’d tattoo any certain string of numbers on my body, but I do seem to look at the clock at the same times, and often I see 10:10 (my sister’s birthday), 6:53 (the exchange of my hometown telephone number), and 5:55(but that’s just the awful time my daily alarm wakes me up). Now if we’re talking significance of numbers in gambling, that’s when I get spiritual! 🙂

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  13. You say ,” joy at being released from this mortal coil,” a phrase that described a suffering friend a few days ago.

    I love the quirky way you pun “Telling Time.” Here’s to memories of Mom, Pam.
    It’s 9:44, so be it! 😀

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  17. I’ve been noticing a lot of 11:11s lately. I wonder if I’m being stalked.

    I totally get your mixed feelings about the book your bought. The logical part of me always thumbs my nose at such “hobble gobble” (love that term) but I also appreciate the “signs” when they unexpectedly arrive.

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    • For some reason, I have no doubt that 1’s stalk you from time to time Mike. That’s no problem. It’s the 6’s that you have to look out for. 👀
      I think it’s all about being open for the signs. I am surprised and happy to hear that you are willing and able to be. 🤓

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  18. Thanks for all of this Pam…including your skepticism as you dove into the topic. I feel the same…wondering what to make of my wondering…and eventually I decide to just receive…whether they’re mere coincidences or my awareness prompting the little discoveries, I figure it doesn’t matter. A familiar bird, a favorite song or seeing repeating numbers. I think I’m supposed to receive and enjoy and remember. Thank YOU for the reminder! 🥰

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  20. I know this seems unusual but my mother shows up as a butterfly!!! I see more of them and always think she is with me. You will never get over the loss of your mother!! Mine is gone 23 years and I still think of her often. She was not just my mother but my best friend. Karen

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    • I can’t believe it’s been 23 years Karen. 23 years and yet no time at all. Butterflies are a wonderful messenger of love and peace and hellos from a loved one. ❤️

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    • Interesting question, Liesbet. I have known many people who go to church and they are religious but they don’t really sink into the spiritual side of themselves. Perhaps that sounds confusing but I do think there is a difference. Xo

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  22. Some things are just unexplainable. When others try to explain it, like in a book, it does come out silly. But it is what it is and I think your mom is just reminding you she is still around and keeping an eye on you. xo

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  23. What an interesting anecdote, Pam! Definitely would give me shivers, too. Your mom is communicating with you, for sure. It’s especially interesting that you notice these numbers when you’re feeling down or worried. Also, perhaps you got your sense of humour from her? 🙂

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    • I love your comment Lisa. Am I more open to receiving or seeing a message when I am a little down? Perhaps! And yes, I think I definitely got a sense of humor from my mom. And the older I get, the more I understand her and her sense of humor. Perhaps that’s the way it is between children and their parents. 💜

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  25. It was a dear Brazilian friend who told me about the spiritual importance of awaking during the night at such times. “A loved one or your Guardian Angel is with you,” he told me. Whenever it happens, during the day or night, I always give thanks for the blessings of the day.

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  27. I believe its your mom letting you know she’s ok and loves you through time. Its been 18 years since I lost my mom and I still find white feathers and pennies all over the place:) xo

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    • Denise – thank you for sharing your memories and messages from your mom. 18 years seems so long ago and yet doesn’t it seem not so long ago? The three years that my mom has been gone seems like 30 and yet like yesterday also. I love your mom’s messages of white feathers and pennies. Beautiful!

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  28. I often find myself glancing at the clock to find it’s 11:11. I always wonder why that happens.

    I believe receiving messages like the ones your mom sends you happens when we’re open to them (consciously or unconsciously or subconsciously). This post is a great reminder to always have a curious and willing spirit. No pun intended.

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    • I think that’s the important part there, Amy. We need to be open to receiving the messages. My mom‘s minister didn’t believe in that kind of stuff and I was a little worried about telling him about the 444 messages. But suddenly over the last couple years, he sends me snapshots of his cell phone when he sees it unexpectedly at 444. And he says – “your mom is around!”

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      • I love that! My pastor, before she retired, surprised me when she said that she believes the veil between us and the people who have gone before us can be very thin. She believes people who have highly developed sensitivity can receive messages from those we love. It was so reassuring to hear her say that.

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  30. I love this! My sister feels our Mom’s presence whenever she she’s a cardinal. The afternoon of my mothers dear, just nine days after my sister Sheila’s unexpected passing, we looked up to see a double rainbow over the house. Maybe nonsense, but if it offers comfort, I say accept it!

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    • What a great thought, Gwen. Yes repetitive numbers can at least encourage us to pray for our loved ones. Not only a comfort but I believe the energy is received. 💜

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  32. The mind/brain is a fascinating instrument. I had one of those experiences today while reading to my seniors. I was reading a nonfiction book about a woman’s experiences as a dog rescuer (She finds missing animals.) Depending on who’s listening, how much they’re processing is always a bit of a mystery.

    The favorite part of my visits is to engage them in conversations afterward. We got on the subject of missing animals, and immediately one of the ladies, a woman with some dementia-like symptoms, recalled stories in great detail. These weren’t fictional tales—they were buried somewhere in her heart/mind/psyche. It was beautiful.

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    • My heart is swelling, Pete. The loving service you share with the seniors means so much. And yes I would say that you opened up this woman’s mind to her wonderful stories that are still there, inside.

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  34. Pam, I so enjoyed reading this post, the ending in particular. Whenever I am at my lowest and missing my son the most, he always comes to me in a dream. In our family, whenever someone we love has passed, somehow we always find a huge bird feather, and it gives us such a feeling of peace. (I live in NJ, so you know there aren’t huge birds around here.). Embrace the mystery.

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    • Embrace the mystery! Absolutely. These numbers and these bird feathers and these rainbows are a gift to us. It’s so heavenly to receive them. Thank you so much for sharing Bernadette. 💜

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  38. I loved reading this. I’m a strong believer in numerology because the entire Universe is mathematical. Astrology is also mathematical. No hobble gobble about it. Triple numbers that randomly pop up remind me I’m not alone on this journey. Those body’s may leave us but the love never does and they find any way they can to remind us. I have been a lot woo-woo since I was seven. Always looking for meaning in random and odd experiences. I miss my mom too but glad she got to go home.

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  41. I remember being told that the series of numbers 333 was significant and when I catch the time on my digital clock, 3:33 during the day or in the early morning hours, I find myself smiling at the peaceful feeling that comes over me…

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  43. Aha, nice to hear you’re aware of the angel numbers and messages. 444 in particular is the angels bringing us a ‘hello’ from a departed loved one. ❤

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    • I was hoping you’d read this post, Debby. Your post is the one that sent me to that book on Angel Numbers. I love searching for ways to go beyond my disbelief to discover what is sometimes unknowable, but there.

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      • Lol, thanks Pam. I’m glad you were inspired to investigate further. And love your phrasing – pushing beyond your disbelief to discover the sometimes unknowable. ❤

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  44. Wonderful post! There are so many mysteries in this life that we do not fully understand. I lost my mom not long ago. It is a hard thing! Sending you hugs and wishing you blessings on Mother’s Day. (Great photos of your mother!)

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  45. I don’t know who started it in our household, but whenever someone sees 11:11, everyone is alerted and we all make our separate, silent wishes. None of them have come true, at least not for me, but I sure wish they would. 😉 What a wonderful way of thinking about and feeling your Mom’s presence, though! Mona

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  46. Mysterious synchronicity………you’ve just gotta love it.
    And I confess that your mother’s connection to the number 4 intrigued me. I found it to be the number of order in the Universe – 4 elements (earth, air, fire, water); 4 seasons, 4 directions; 4 moon phases……….and then there are the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism. Perhaps she had a glimpse into the cloud of unknowing.
    Loved this blog.

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  47. Love this, Pam. I’ll never forget when my father passed after suffering with ALS. I missed him terribly but I was relieved he had all that pain and disability behind him. A couple nights later, he came to me in a dream, strong, young, healthy, and dressed to the nines. He smiled and told me he was no longer in any pain and he was happy. That dream helped me cope with the grief.

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  49. Dear roomie, 

    <

    div>Some of my freshman friends remember passing around letters from my aunt Stella, my mothers, older sister. They were always difficult to read due to the scribbles of an older woman, and they were always stre

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  51. This was beautiful to read,i don’t know but it bought me teary eyed ,it’s beautiful to know that you can remember your mum when things like this occurs,I hope I’ll be able to smile completely pass my pain too

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  52. Wow, I love this. We never know how they will choose to come to us. By the way, my daughter is very sure that numbers mean special things as that is how things happen to/for her.

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  55. I am nit superstitious myself but when ever I see a clock rrading 11:11 u find myself making a wish as if it were a reflex action. May your mother rest in peace my dad passed away in 2020 after 5 years of dementia so I really related tp your post

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    • Thank YOU for your comment. Sometimes we’re a bit worried/scared to share these personal experience because many might scoff. But hey, many others, like you, are supportive to the “what if??” ❤

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  60. I started finding dimes right after my mom died (like within two days of her passing). Sometimes in the most unlikely places, too (like when I switched locations where I worked and within a week I found another dime). She was always big on tithing (a tenth), and I figured it was her little reminder. Although she died in 2006, I still find dimes although less frequently, but enough that I donated over $20 of the dimes I found in the first 8 years. I carry them around in a pocket for a few weeks, then put them in a jar that I have set aside for them. Generally, as soon as I empty my pocket, I find another one, sometimes on a walk around town or out where I park for shopping (further away to get steps). I keep thinking it will end, but even my husband noticed this happening. It’s about time to donate them again. ~nan

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    • What a wonderful way to be remembered, and to send a “dime-ly” message. I hardly ever see dimes – anywhere. These dime-sightings are incredible, and even better is that you donate them.

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      • Thanks, I couldn’t do anything else with them. They are a reminder for me, and I try to use them in a positive manner, thus the donation. I donated to a charity which works to prevent SIDS deaths and comforts those parents who have experienced a death in an infant. Perhaps those dimes were found for this reason. ~Nan

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